Cathedral Mountain route suggestions

[tassie walker]

Our next walk is to Cathedral Mountain. What is the best (or most interesting) route?

[dplanet]

If you have a gps, check out ENT@OSM. It has been on my list too.

[tigercat]

The way described in both the Abels vol 1 and John Chapman's book is good. Drive to the end of the Mersey Forest Rd and walk the well marked Moses Ck track to Grail falls follow a pad around the Sth side of Grail falls onto the plateau. Follow a pad to camp at Chalice lake or further at Tent tarn or many other places. Climb Cathedral and Twin Spires as a short day trip, plenty of other places and peaks on the plateau to explore. There is some scrub on the plateau but generally fairly easy off track walking. I have driven my corolla, carefully, to the trailhead more than once.

[dplanet]

According to my research, the information about the track to Grail falls is easily found; but, the info on how to get from Grail falls to Tent tarn is extremely rare. Some years ago, I was stuck at Grail falls and had to retrace my steps. It was lucky for me to find the useful osm track from the falls to the tarn. That is the reason why the osm is mentioned. For sure, you understand that it is not easy for a walker when s/he is on hills and own his/her own. Thanks for your update on the climb to Cathedral.

[tigercat]

The pad up south of Grail falls is slightly exposed climbing through breaks in the cliffs.
dplanet to follow on your comments regarding solo walking, this requires confidence in ones self sufficiency in terms of fitness, experience and equipment including communication devices.

[north-north-west]

A lot of first-timers might have to scrabble around a bit to find the creek crossing and the start of the track up beside Grail (I did - back & forth for 15 minutes), but after that it's easy to get up to Tent Tarn. It's the section beyond the tarn that can be a bit vague. There's a big cairn where the pads split - left is Cathedral, right is Bishop.
I want to go back and circumnavigate the whole Cathedral Plateau - it's lovely country and there are some good campsites up near the cliffs & plenty of small pools for water.

[tassie walker]

Thanks for all of that everyone - looks like Grail might be a bit of searching around but knowing that is very helpful. Cant wait!

[weetbix456]

i was up there by myself just a few days ago and had no problem finding the track up above the falls from the campsite. you just have to find the right pads out of the camping areas and cross a tiny creek. they are there. then the cairned route to tent tarn is pretty straight forward (in reasonable weather anyhow). i had trouble following the cairns up to the plateau and just bashed straight up, but found them easier to spot on the way back down. beautiful part of the state!!

[dplanet]

Forgot to mention that I had not planned to head up to tent tarn at that time. The plan had been to go to junction lake. High water at the junction of the creeks and lakes had been the problem. Thanks weetbix.

[Nuts]

Chapmans description is good enough. It really didn't need OSM. If people aren't safe with that vague reference then they really should consider their experience in going further. Iv'e spend a few days wandering around up there (and yes there are more interesting ways to get back down, mentioned on here), easy navigating but some hazards just the same.

[dplanet]

Has someone tried how to get down to reg wadley via a log bridge? Would love a gpx file for the route. Please pm. Many thanks in advance. Happy New Year everyone.